Christ above all
graduation ♦ missions trips ♦ alumni in medicine ♦ lion tracks Summer 2006 \j [\_ Y Jv lN
Bryan Life | A publication of Bryan College | Volume 32, Number 4
Editorial Office Bryan College, P.O. Box 7000, Dayton, Tennessee 37321-7000 | 423.775.2041 | www.bryan.edu
President: Stephen D. Livesay | Editor: Tom Davis | Designer Rachel Evans
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■■
a letter from the
Graduation is a major milestone in our students'
lives when after years of preparation on Bryan
Hill they truly begin to realize the purpose for
which God has called them. I wish each of you could have medical school. Dr. Ted Tucker, class of '95, says that
cent of our graduates are entering their chosen graduate
school or vocation upon graduation.
This edition of Bryan Life tells the story of some of
our recent biology and pre-med major graduates who have
been prepared by our exceptional science faculty to enter
joined the nearly 2,000 students, family members, and
alumni for Commencement 2006. It was thrilling to see
over 1 60 of our students graduate and enter many fields
of service. Our Golden Graduates from 1 956 were also
recognized during the ceremony. What a blessing to hear
them tell their stories of
God's faithfulness to them
and how God has used their
Bryan education to enable
them to make a difference
for Christ's Kingdom.
Ever before us is our mis-
sion to educate students to make a difference in today's
world; therefore, we strive (1) to offer excellent and chal-
lenging academic programs and (2) to create an environ-
ment that encourages our students to have obedient hearts
to live out God's calling for their lives.
This year's graduating seniors' scores on the nationally
normed Major Field Achievement Tests (MEAT) provide
evidence of the excellence of our academic programs.
Here are the average scores from just a few of our majors:
• Biology major: 98th percentile
• Psychology major: 95th percentile
• Business major: 95th percentile
• English major: 94th percentile
With that kind of preparation, you can see why 90 per-
"medicine is a great opportunity to live your faith and
share your faith." In this issue, you will further gain a
sense of the value of a Bryan education and of students
who are making a difference when you read the article on
our students who this summer are involved in developing
a missions lifestyle.
"...90 percent of our graduates are
entering their chosen graduate
school or vocation upon
graduation."
As we prepare to
begin a new school
year, we thank God for
the beautiful Rankin
Communications
Studies Center and for
North Hall, a spacious 1 20-bed women's residence hall
that will be ready for the students when they return in
August We're looking forward to hearing from Dr. Robert
George at Fall Convocation. Dr. George is director of the
James Madison Program in American Ideals and
Institutions at Princeton University and is a member of
the President's Council on Bioethics.
Please pray that God will use this summer to prepare
the hearts of the returning and new students, faculty, staff,
administration, and trustees for an outstanding 2006-2007
that will bring glory to Him!
Dr. Stephen D. Livesay
Bryan life 1
Xyes
on t fie
Juture
Bryan celebrates Graduation 2006
Eyes on the future, with a view to the ultimate goal,
became the theme of commencement festivities for
the Class of 2006, Bryan's largest ever, as they
received their diplomas May 6.
A highlight of the weekend was the reunion of the Class
of 1956, as 33 "Golden Grads" received their 50th anniver-
sary diplomas.
From Vespers on Friday through the graduation service
on Saturday, seniors were reminded that a life of significance
depends on choices they will make, and how they react to
life's challenges.
Kimberlee Storey told her classmates at Vespers, "We've
asked and heard the question "What are you going to do?' a
lot in the past few months." But she suggested a better way
to frame the real issue would be to ask "Whose are you
going to be?"'
"We must choose a cause that matters, or we will by
default be relegated to the trivial."
Phil Pranger, a former resident director in Woodlee-
Ewing, challenged seniors to keep matters in their lives in
perspective. "You've been in class about 36 months; that's
about how long the disciples had with Jesus."
He reminded them that Peter, of whom Jesus said,
''You're the rock on which I will build my church," denied
the Lord three times. "Chances are pretty good you'll make
some pretty big mistakes. Yet I want to remind you some-
thing about sin. Sin, though never a good thing, is simply
nothing more than a rebellion that has been quashed. Later
Jesus appeared to Peter on the shore. There is no condemna-
tion. Jesus' topic was simply love.'
"Don't get caught up in the fact you made a mistake. This
is about a love relationship with Christ. If you love Him, the
love will spill over into your relationship with others."
Dean of Spiritual Formation Matt Benson chose the
book of Philippians, with Paul's promise to the church that
"He Who began a good work in you will bring it to comple-
tion."
He showed a video clip of the class's first day at Bryan,
drawing laughs from the crowd as younger faces of the grad-
uates flashed across the screen. "In India a pastor said you
will never become what you are not becoming. It is exciting
to see what you are becoming, to take a kid and make you a
powerful fragrance for Jesus Christ What we saw (in the
video) was not really a beginning; tomorrow will not be the
end. God will continue to make you more fully you."
Mr. Benson challenged class members, "You have a life-
time to fully know who you are. Live passionately and fully
for the Lord. Discover more fully who you are in Christ. My
hope is that as you become more like us (as Paul encouraged
Philippian believers to imitate him), you will become more
2 Christ above all
like Christ My hope is that in your time
at Bryan you have seen the GospeL
That is the calling on your life, to ulti-
mately become more fully Jesus, to be
the fragrance of Christ where you go."
Bryan President Dr. Stephen D.
Livesay told the Vespers audience that
his time earlier that evening with the
Golden Graduates brought an impor-
tant lesson to mind. "As I was listening
to their life stories it dawned on me
what is really important What counts is
not how you start, what matters is how
well you finish. I want you erads to fin-
ish strong finish well. Keep your life
pure, develop godly character. It's that
character being like Jesus that will
enable you to finish well"
During Saturday's ceremonies,
Amanda Held, a liberal arts: Bible and
philosophy major from Dayton, Tenn.,
gave the graduation address for stu-
dents in the traditional program, and
Jeffery Tanner, a business administra-
tion: organizational management major
from Chattanooga, Tenn., spoke for the
Aspire degree completion program
aduates.
Miss Held challenged graduates to
evaluate the "American dream" from a
biblical worldview rather than the con-
sumerist culture which surrounds us.
"In the American psyche, there is
ingrained that idea that each of us has
rights, has particular freedoms. But
over the years, this truth has been twist-
ed into a sense of entidement, entide-
ment to my desires. Not only this, but
commercialism tells us that if we get
what we want, if we buy the product,
the diet drink, the brand name clothes,
the expensive car, the extra-stre
Bryan life 3
cle
"We must come to realize
that perhaps to suffer is to
know Christ in the most
intimate way possible."
Amanda Held
carpet cleaner, then life will be good,
life will be a success.
"I fear that the church has not been
immune to these lies, and our ministry
has been affected by this consumeristic
mindset, that
we choose the
ministry we will
be a part of
based on what
we will get out
of it, what fits
us best We ask
the question, "what is my calling?' rather
than, 'What is God's purpose.'
"I would also challenge us to
change how we as a society define suc-
cess. I've noticed recently that we judge
whether or not something is a success
based on how little we have suffered,
how much pain we have avoided. Too
often we choose the route of least
resistance. Difficulty, affliction equals
bad; comfort, ease equals good.
"We must come to realize that per-
haps to suffer is to know Christ in the
most intimate way possible. To be
acquainted with His sorrow is to feel
the pulsing heart of Jesus. When Jesus
said take up your cross, he was not
referring to the endurance of everyday
struggles. The call to take up the cross
is a call to
eath of the
esh. You
ee, God
has a much
greater pur-
pose than
my comfort and a much better story to
tell with my life than one of ease and
my own profit. All great things are
accomplished at great cost.
"So I challenge you, dare to believe
that perhaps Paul was right when he
said that suffering for Christ brings you
closer to the heart of God, and this is
where existence finds a purpose. In the
words of missionary Samuel Zwemer,
don't just make a living. Make a life.
"Fellow graduates, if the gospel is
true then it does not simply change
lives. It is life. I would
suggest that it is the
good, good news of the
gospel that redeems our
existence, not beauty, not
stuff, not hype, not good
works- but Christ in me
the hope of glory.
"What would it look
like if this group of indi-
viduals made the decision
to ignore the expectations
of society, really live radically for
Christ? I challenge you not to be pas-
sive consumers of Christianity, who
view life as one does a movie, discon-
Amanda Held
nected and free of responsibility. I
close with the worlds of Kierkegaard:
'Let you consolation be, as it is mine,
that we are not to read about or lister
to or look at what is the highest and the
most beautiful in life, but are, if you
please, to live it"'
Mr. Tanner said in his speech that
his reasons for desiring to complete his
college degree had changed in the near-
ly 15 years since he left school.
"Our God has placed in us
>oth an ability and a desire
to seek knowledge, and
iiFc#ciimiir«nr;v/yrm]
this ability by continuing
this pursuit of knowledge
every chance we get."
Jeffery Tanner
"First, I knew I owed it to myself to
complete my degree. Learning is truly a
lifelong event, and whether you're he
today as a family member, a friend, or
ya
-
ir a
4 Christ above all
fellow graduate, we should all continue
our pursuit of knowledge and wisdom
throughout our lives, in both academic
and spiritual matters. We should never
grow weary in this pursuit. Our God
has placed in us both an ability and a
desire to seek knowledge, and each of
us should develop this ability by contin-
uing this pursuit for knowledge every
chance we get.
'Tor me there was another reason, a
higher calling if you will, one less self-
ish, less self-centered - my children. I
knew that as my children grew up, there
would come a day when I would have
to look at them and say 'do as I say and
not as I do' if I didn't complete what I
had started back many years ago."
"For many here today, this com-
mencement may represent the end of a
lot of hard work, and the beginning of
a new life, and more hard work. For
others, this may be the first step in your
collegiate education, as you may be
moving on toward a graduate degree.
"For others, today may be the
beginning of new endeavors, a new job
or new career. But whatever tomorrow
holds, my challenge would be to take
this education you have worked so hard
to achieve and go make a difference in
the world. Today is not the end of an
era, just the end of a chapter; tomor-
row, a wonderful new chapter begins, a
chapter where we can all make a differ-
ence. And the experience and knowl-
edge you take with you as you prepare
to leave this wonderful institution is
something no one will ever be able to
take from you."
r
graduation
at a glance
♦67 Bachelor of Arts
♦99 Bachelor of Science
64 Aspire program
35 traditional program
♦72 graduated with
honors
♦Keelan Diehl received
both a BA. degree
and a B.S. degree.
Making a difference...
All around the world
Missions trip is taking on a new meaning for nine
Bryan students and recent graduates this summer
as the college implements a program to help stu-
dents develop a missions lifestyle.
The nine will spend extended time in Russia, Slovakia,
Uganda, and India, making what they and Dean of Spiritual
Formation Matt Benson hope will be significant contribu-
tions to host ministries.
Missions trips are nothing new for either the college or
its students. Tn fact, Mr. Benson says the internship program
is building on an interest that already exists. He points out
that many more than the nine formally involved in the
internships will be on their own missions projects.
Beginning with his taking a group of students to India in
the late 1990s, Mr. Benson has been working to build a pro-
gram incorporating both academic study of missions and a
hands-on exposure to mission life. During the 2004-05
school year, this involved taking a group of students from a
variety of majors to Micronesia for an extended fall break
and putting their skills to work in a missions setting Longer
summer internships allow students to plug into the day-to-
day life of a missionary and do "things critical to the func-
6 Christ above all
tion of the ministries."
Four students have been assigned to
the Bratislava Educational Resource
Center in the Slovak Republic; one will
be in Moscow, Russia; one in India; one
will travel in Central Europe for Trans
World Radio; and two will work at an
orphanage in Uganda.
In talking with the students
involved, two major themes run
through the conversation: "J want to
see if I can do this" and "I want to
serve missionary families and learn
from them."
Beth Simon, a senior math major
from Telford, Pa., is going to work at
the Bratislava Educational Resource
Center (BERQ May 21 to Aug 3.
Mr. Benson first suggested she consider
spending the summer in Micronesia.
The mission idea caught, but
Micronesia didn't, so he suggested
Slovakia.
"I couldn't forget about that," she
says. '1 originally had planned to come
home (after graduation next December)
and work as a substitute teacher to get
my feet in the door. Now that missions
is a possibility or a likelihood, I think
I'll have to work to pay off school
loans, and then work to raise money to
go back to the mission field. When I go
to Slovakia, I want to see if I can do
this. I'm testing the waters, hoping God
speaks to me."
One of Beth's companions in
Bratislava will be Christen Conrad from
San Antonio, Texas, who received her
degree in communication studies in
May. She will work in an outreach
capacity for BERC.
"My job will be going to different
(Above) Matt Benson, left, dean of spiritual
formation, and Ben Norquist, '04, are pic-
tured withjoah Sonko, a pastor with
Christian Life Ministries in Uganda, which
operates orphan homes where Bryan and
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga stu-
dents will he working during the next three
summers. (Right) Amanda Held ministers
to the people of Southern India.
missionary families and telling them
about BERC." The center, she explains,
is a resource for missionary families
that offers classes and tutoring for their
children, among other services.
Christen calls the internship an answer
to prayer because "over the past couple
of years the Lord has been growing my
heart to minister to missionaries."
When Mr. Benson suggested the
internship, "I said, Tx>rd, this is Your
answer to my prayer.' I'm really excited
about getting to serve missionary fami-
lies and learn from them."
Christen points out that on short-
term trips "a lot of times I felt like the
missionaries were busy trying to figure
out what we needed." This time, she
and the others will plug into ongoing
programs and work in areas that have
lacked attention they needed. Another
benefit to the longer term will be "an
opportunity to invest in MKs, hang out
with them, getting to know their hearts
and minds."
While she is considering what steps
to take after she returns in August,
Christen says, "Whether I'm called to
go overseas or be involved here at
home, missions is something I want to
continue to be a part of."
Striking out on his own to Russia
will be Evan Myers, a business adminis-
tration graduate from Norcross, Ga.
Evan will work with Integra Russia, a
part of Integra Venture, which does
Bryan life 7
microeconomic development in Eastern doing all over the world, how my gifts
and Central Europe and Africa. 'Til
mostly be in Moscow doing business-
type stuff, putting their accounting
books together, making sure their
English translation of material is
good," he says.
Evan has been on a number of
short-term mission trips, but none this
long. "This will be completely differ-
ent This will be a good experience, a
great opportunity to see
what's going on in another
country, what business does,
how business is done in a
Christian ministry."
Amanda Held, who
received her degree in liber-
al arts: Bible and philosophy in May,
will spend the next six months in India,
a country she had never considered
even visiting. "Then the tsunami hap-
pened and Matt Benson said, 1 think it
would be great for you to go to India.' I
was confused, upset with God for let-
ting that happen. I thought I'd see for
myself. When I went, I got a bug that
made me want to go back, along with
other kinds of bugs."
She found a depth of "commitment
fit in with that, and whether God can
use me better 'there' or here as a
sender."
Mr. Dennis Miller, Bryan's executive
director of external relations, said there
are four goals for the Uganda project
two freshmen from the University of
Tennessee-Chattanooga to begin build-
ing relationships with Christian Life
Ministries and working to promote that
ministry in the United States.
Sarah Dingus, a junior Christian
education major, is one of the students
"...I want to see if I can do this.
I'm testing the waters, hoping
God speaks to me."
Beth Simon
have students minister to street children planning a missions experience apart
through a program run by Christian from the college-sponsored program.
Life Ministries; help students who are She will work during June at a camp
aspiring missionaries or are exploring a ministry in Kingsport, Tenn., where her
parents are on staff, then
spend July in Romania
where she and Rachel
Stuckey, a freshman com-
munication studies and
English major, will work
with Buckner Orphan
Care International, the agency which
began the Shoes for Orphan Souls
campaign.
Sarah said the first week will involve
work in villages, then the next three
weeks will be spent doing Vacation
Bible School-type programs at different
orphanages.
Bryan's missions-minded atmos-
phere is an encouragement for all stu-
dents, she said. "There are a lot of
opportunities with missions even if you
and persistence in persecution" that she career in missions to Africa have a first- don't take the class," she said. "There
had never seen before, a lifestyle among hand experience with Ugandan people
believers that made her want to learn
more. Although she is going to work
with several indigenous ministries
teaching English, leading Bible studies,
and ministering to church youth
groups, she believes she will see per-
sonal growth as welL
"I think this will broaden my per-
spective, give me a better understanding
of what the church is, what God is
and culture; potentially provide to mis-
sions agencies individuals with three
years of significant experiences working
on the African continent and help
Ugandan street children through fund-
raising efforts conducted by student
interns throughout the three-year dura-
tion of this project
Bryan freshmen Melissa Milner and
Allison Cunningham will partner with
are a lot of ways to get connected; the
camp fair, focus in chapel, the missions
conference every other year."
That's the point, Mr. Benson says:
encouraging students to become
involved, providing direction and struc-
ture as necessary, and then watching as
God moves in the lives of the next
generation of Kingdom workers.
8 Christ above till
The Bryan Center
for Critical Thought and Practice
Dr. Charles Van Eaton, Director
Summit Ministries
Summit Ministries-East Director John Stonestreet
has been busy this spring, involved with training
in Biblical Worldview for students, teachers, and
patents in Iowa, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina,
and Georgia. In March, Stonestreet was keynote
speaker for the Indiana Association of Home
Educators convention, and spoke at the Summit
Spring Conference in Colorado. In April he led week-
end seminars for churches in Texas and Georgia.
The 2006 Summit Ministries Student Conferences
at Bryan College will be from July 9-22 and July 23-
Aug 5. For information about the conferences, contact
the Summit office at 423-775-7599 or visit the web site
at www.bryan.edu/summit.
The Myers Institute
The Myers Institute's Passing the Baton project
now has its own website, www.passingtheba-
ton.org, on which people can sign up to be
part of an international network of individuals com-
mitted to equipping the next generation of leaders.
Fifteen speakers have been trained, and they are busy
delivering the popular one-day Passing the Baton work-
shop to Christian schools, churches, and mission
organizations all over the world. The Myers Institute
has entered into a partnership to provide leadership
training for teachers and students for every Christian
school in the Philippines over the next two years, and
has partnered with the Association of Christian
Schools International in the Southeast US. to provide
leadership training events for their 800 member
schools.
C.O.R.E.
Dr. Kurt Wise and Dr. Todd Wood will attend
the 2006 meeting of the BSG: A Creation
Biology Study Group. Dr. Wise will speak on
creationist paleontology, and Dr. Wood will give a statis-
tics workshop. For more information, visit the BSG
website at www.bryancore.org/bsg/. Dr. Wise will con-
tinue to be involved in Summit at Bryan College after his
move to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and will
continue to work with CORE on various projects in ori-
gins research. Dr. Todd Wood will become director of
CORE in August, when Dr. Roger Sanders will join the
CORE staff.
Fall Seminars
The Bryan Center for Critical Thought and Practice
will address the essential question of the meaning of
man in its September seminar as prologue to its
November symposium on bioethics. If one can come to
terms with the initial question, addressing the second will
necessarily follow.
Sept. 15-16: What Is Man that Thou Art Mindful?
Dr. Michael Bauman, Professor of Theology and
Culture and Director of the Christian Studies Program at
Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich.: "The First Adam and
the Second."
Dr. Dennis Hollinger, Professor of Christian Ethics
and President, Evangelical Theological Seminary,
Myerstown, Pa.: "Choosing the Good."
Dt Doug Kennard, Professor of Bible, Theology,
and Philosophy, Bryan College, Dayton, Tenn.: "Image
and Soul."
Nov. 10-11, 2006: Bioethics and the Meaning of Man
Dr. W Gary Phillips, pastor. Signal Mountain Bible
Church, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Eric Cohen, Ethics and Public Policy Center,
Washington, DC.
Dr. Harold Y. Vanderpool, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Bryan Life <J
Healing Hands
Pre-med alumni excel
in post-graduate studies
Life is hard as a pre-med major
at Bryan but the effort pays
off, particularly when the reali-
ties of medical school set in.
That's the point, as Dr. Martin
Hartzell explains. Dr. Hartzell, head
of the biology department, said class-
es are designed to give majors a
glimpse at what will be expected in
medical school and to prepare them
to do well on the Medical College
Aptitude Test (MCAT), a major hur-
dle on the way to becoming a doctor.
About half the biology majors arc in
a pre-medical track, Dr.
Hartzell said. About
half of those opt for
medical school and the
others are pursuing a
nursing degree through
Bryan's cooperative
program with the
Vanderbilt University nursing school.
Other majors follow the research or
organismal biology tracks.
For all the majors the biology core
courses begin with botany, zoology,
and general chemistry.
"These are rigorous courses that
let the students know they have to
study in the major," Dr. Hartzell
explained. "If they don't know how
to study, the following courses will
really push them. If they're going to
be medical students they have to do
this kind of work."
That's an approach that Bryan
alumni seem to appreciate.
Nate Krogel, '01 , who is complet-
ing his fourth year at the Lake Erie
College of Osteopathic Medicine in
Erie, Pa., said, "I remember my first
class, zoology. When I got past that I
thought, 'If we could do that we
could do anything.'"
Dr. Hartzell acknowledges some
students change majors after the first
course or so. "I tell them I sat
through several first-year medical
school courses. Every class was
demanding, but if they make it
through Bryan they can make it
"I would have a hard time finding
a place where I could minister to
people better than in medicine."
Dr. Amy Ford, '00
through medical school."
Dr. Ted Tucker, '95, a primary
care physician in rural Fairbury, Neb,
said the demanding undergraduate
experience paid off for him when he
attended the University of Nebraska
Medical Center.
"I don't think anybody can be
completely prepared for the amount
of study required, but having a good
foundation is key. I felt like I had that
You adjust very quickly to the load
with a good foundation. Without, you
adjust, but it may be more slowly."
Work load is a recurring theme
when talking with Bryan's biology
Dr. Amy Ford
majors or with alumni in medical
school. Dr. Hartzell pointed out that
medical students are taught by spe-
cialists in each field, "not generalists
like me."
Joshua Cone, '03, who is
finishing his first year at the
Virginia School of
Osteopathic Medicine at
Blacksburg, Va., likened the
difference in work load
between college and medical
school to that between high school
and college. "It's that sort of differ-
ence," he said. But he found the
increased demands of pre-med classes
his junior and senior years helped pre-
pare him for the work he has experi-
enced this year.
Dr. Matt Bryan, '94, a dermatolo-
gist in Greenville, S.C., said, "The vol-
ume of material was the biggest sur-
prise" when he entered the Medical
University of South Carolina. "You're
taking close to 30 semester hours per
semester, and there are no 'gimme'
classes in there. The biggest adjust-
ment I had was that most waking
hours I would be studying."
lO Christ above all
Mr. Krogel, who will receive his
Doctor of Osteopathy degree this
summer, said the workload could be
daunting if a student is not totally
committed to the program. "If you
don't want to go to medical school
100 percent, I don't see how you
could survive. If you went in 75 per-
cent sure and 25 percent doubting, I
don't see how you could stick with it
through the hard dmes. There is so
much studying!"
Dr. Amy Ford, '00, who is in her
second year of a family medicine resi-
dence in Greeley, Colo., said the com-
munity atmosphere at Eastern
Virginia Medical School in Norfolk,
Va., helped with the demands of the
program. "You go to medical school
and there are lots of classes — you
study all the time. I liked medical
school, and the people there. We
always studied together, tutored each
other, hung out together."
Some alumni brought their own
support with them to medical school.
Dr. Bryan and Tiffany Earle, '04, were
married before he began his medical
studies, and "I would not have made
it if it were not for Tiffany," he said.
"She was very good in helping me
balance studies and life."
Mr. Krogel and Philene Phaneuf,
'01 , chose to go through medical
school together, as they both were
accepted to the Erie school on the
same day. They married after their
first year, and are looking for intern-
ship and residency programs that will
match their professional goals, his in
cardiology and hers in obstetrics and
gynecology. "Philene being there
helped keep me on track," he said.
Going through the experience
"brought my wife and me closer
together."
Shane Maxwell, '01, married Heidi
Seera, '04x, after he graduated from
Bryan. He worked in the pharmaceu-
tical industry in Nashville, Term.,
before being accepted at Lake Erie.
Heidi's support "is the only reason
I'm here. If she had had any hesita-
tion, I would have stayed in Nashville.
There are times when we feel like we
don't have time for each other, but we
realize this is only temporary. We
both feel this is where we should be.
Being married is a lifesaver. I depend
on her."
Dr. Bryan
said it is
important for
medical stu-
dents to find a
good church
and fellowship with other believers.
"If not, school can be an all-consum-
ing thing."
Tabitha Moe, '00, studying at the
University of Kansas School of
Medicine, found a connection
through the Christian Medical and
Dental Society. That has helped her
have regular contact with Christians
studying for and practicing their pro-
Shane and Heidi Maxwell
fessions.
A long-range perspective in both
Bryan's undergraduate classes and in
medical school seems important to
deal with the pressures of both pro-
grams. At Bryan, the goal is a good
score on the MCAT; in medical
school, it is the practice at the end of
the process.
"I think medicine is a great field,"
Dr. Ford said. "Being a doctor is very
fulfilling work. You get to work with
people who are in need. You're help-
ing them with physical needs, but get
"...Having a good foundation is
key. I felt like I had that."
Dr. Ted Tucker, '95
the opportunity to talk about their
personal lives. People open up to their
doctors in ways that they don't open
up to their friends. I would have a
hard time finding a place where I
could minister to people better than
in medicine."
Dr. Tucker echoed that thought
"Almost every day I have an opportu-
nity maybe not to witness but to
Bryan Life 11
Dr. Matt Bryan
point someone in the direction of
Christ Medicine is a great opportuni-
ty to live your faith and share your
faith. Bryan and its worldview empha-
sis and spiritual life development real-
ly facilitates that I wouldn't want to
leave out that part of my education."
Mr. Cone added that physicians
with a Biblical worldview are needed
to address contemporary dignity of
human life issues. He said medicine
"offers a good opportunity to engage
the culture with a Christian world-
view.
The doctors and doctors-in-train-
ing had some advice for Bryan's biol-
ogy majors:
Dr. Bryan: Get into a hospital,
research or volunteer work; institu-
tions look favorably on that Continue
with extracurricular activities. Medical
schools like well-rounded people."
Mr. Cone:
"Listen to your
advisor. I feel Dr.
Ilartzcll knows
what he's talking
about Focus and do well in class.
That's one of the best ways to pre-
pare for the MCAT and medical
school.
Mr. Krogel: 'Try to learn every-
thing they teach you. The biology-
program is high-quality. It's hard to
see the big picture at first, but hard
work will come back to help you
when classes get tough."
Ms. Moe: Enjoy your life as you
know it Be involved with other
things besides school, like Bible stud-
"It's a hard jour ney."
Dr. Matt Bryan, '94
ies. Enrich your lives because once
you're in medical school all that ends
abruptly."
Dr. Tucker: "Study hard, apply
yourself, get good grades. It's impor-
tant to master the material, but don't
forget development of your other
interests. Pursue them as well."
From the perspective of his work
as a physician in
private practice,
Dr. Bryan
acknowledged the
challenges
prospective physicians face. "It's a
hard journey, but the journey is part
of the program. When you're in it, it
doesn't seem that bad because every-
body around you is doing it"
At the end of that journey, the
doctors say, waits a career that
uniquely allows them to make a dif-
ference in the lives they touch every
day.
Dr. Robert George to speak at convocation
Bryan
College
will open
its 2006-07 aca-
demic year Aug.
23, with a convo-
cation address by
Dr. Robert
George,
McCormick
Professor of Jurisprudence and
Director of the James Madison
Program in American Ideals and
Institutions at Princeton University.
Dr. George serves on the
President's Council on Bioethics and
previously served as a presidential
appointee to the United States
Commission on Civil Rights. He is a
former Judicial FeEow at the Supreme
Court of the United States, where he
received the Justice Tom C. Clark
Award.
"We are delighted to have a scholar
of Dr. George's stature as our
Convocation speaker," Bryan President
Dr. Stephen D. Livesay said. "His back-
ground in bioethics dovetails nicely
with the emphasis of the seminars of
the Bryan Center for Critical Thought
and Practice this fall as we explore the
nature of man and the concept of
bioethics. I believe his comments will
set the tone for the year as we seek to
challenge our students to engage today's
culture in meaningful ways from a
Biblical worldview."
Convocation is set for Aug. 23, at
10:40 a.m. in Rudd Auditorium, the day
classes begin for the fall semester.
12 Christ above all
Will Something
You Don't Say
Accidentally
Disinherit
Someone
You Love?
Reading Between The Lines Is Not An Option
When it comes to communicating, almost
everyone has some experience at reading
between the lines. Parents and children,
spouses, employers and employees -
everyone learns the meaning of things left
unsaid.
But when it comes to life's most important
communications, leaving critical specifics
unspoken most often results in misunder-
standing.
Nowhere is there more need for careful
articulation than when it comes to spelling
out your final wishes, hopes, and dreams.
Christ above all
BRYAN
Whether the complete absence of a plan or
simply a poorly written document, the result
of inadequate communication can be the
accidental disinheritance of a family mem-
ber or loved one.
And while there always seems to be a num-
ber of reasons to delay attention to a will, no
one can make up for wishes unrealized.
For a free brochure on avoiding accidental
disinheritance or for more information on
creating a winning plan, call or write our
Office of Estate Planning.
Jim Barth
Bryan College
721 Bryan Drive
Dayton, TN 37321
423-775-7280
barthji@bryan.edu
www.bryangift.org
Bryan life 13
lion
tracks
1950s %;
David and Mary
Naff
DAVID NAFF,
'52, announces
the publication of
his book Stories I
Heard in West
Africa, a collection
of four stories,
which he illustrat-
ed, from the sto-
ries he and his
wife, MARY
(GROVER)
NAFF, '53, heard while they were mis-
sionaries in Liberia. David said he
chose the stories for publication
because they illustrate Scriptural or
moral truths. The books are available
from the SIM bookstore, P.O. Box
7900, Charlotte, N.C. 28241.
Dr. WILBUR PICKERING, '56,
reports that his wife, Ida, died July 31,
2005, on their field of service in Brazil.
He is planning a visit to the States this
summer.
EVERETT, '56, and FAITH (SAN-
FORD), '61, BOYCE are planning to
resume missions ministry as teachers
for two American missionary families
who are running an orphanage in
Chapala, Mexico, beginning in
September. They "retired" from mis-
sion work in 1 999, then Everett became
pastor of Roswell Community Church
in Colorado Springs, Colo. They will
leave the church in September for their
move to Mexico.
JERRY, '59, and AMY (WILSON),
'59x, SMITH continue their service as
directors of church relations with
Biblical Ministries Worldwide. This past
summer Jerry was elected president of
the board of the IFCA, then spent two
weeks in Louisiana and Mississippi in
October encouraging pastors and
believers in hurricane-impacted areas
and planning relief efforts.
1960s •;
ROBERT, '67x, and DOROTHY
(SIDES), '65, KAATZ are celebrating
Bob's new job as safety manager with
AccelaPure Corp. in Newark, Del.; a
new home in Wilmington, DeL; and a
new grandchild, their seventh.
FAITH (ISBELL) HEITZER, '69,
recently was profiled in her hometown
newspaper, The Tracy (Calif.) Press,
highlighting her years of service as a
diabetes educator who uses a rubber
hammer to drive home the point of
staying on track with the disease. Since
she graduated from Bryan, she has
been a wife, mother, nurse, teacher and
missionary.
DAN MCMILLAN, '69, is pastor of
Green Hill Presbyterian Church in
Enterprise, Ala., and continues to serve
as an Air National Guard chaplain. His
wife, ANITA (ANDERSON), '90,
teaches in the Enterprise city school
system.
1970s %)
WILLIAM, '70, and KATHY
(PAGE), '70x, WILSON have moved
from Pensacola, Fla., to Snellville, Ga.,
where Bill is serving as southeast
regional director for the Association of
Christian Schools International.
HELEN (SCOTT) WALKER, '71x,
is a Realtor with Crye-Leike, Realtors,
in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she lives
with her husband, Robert, and daugh-
ter, Rachel.
Dr. TIM KIMMEL, '72, recently has
published two books, 50 Ways to Really
Love Your Kids and Raising Kids for True
Greatness. Tim and DARCY (DIRKS),
74X, KIMMEL live in Scottsdale,
Ariz., where Tim is executive director
of Family Matters, a ministry to fami-
lies.
JIM GLOVER, '79, recently received
the No. 1 Transaction Agent
Companywide and No. 1 Listing Agent
Companywide with Harry Norman
Realtors of Adanta, Ga. He also
received the Agent of the Year award in
his Marietta, Ga., office for the fourth
consecutive year. He recendy purchased
some property near Charieston, S.C.,
and CEIL (COKER) BRUNER, '80,
14 Christ above all
was his agent Jim serves as chairman
of the board for the Cobb Symphony
Orchestra, has authored two books on
Southern history, and is active in St.
Jude's Episcopal Church.
1980s %;.
ARTHUR, '82x,
and Susan
CLOKSIN,
announce the
birth of their son,
Philip Larry, on
Jan. 20. Philip
weighed 6 lbs., 1 1
oz., and was 18 V*
inches long. The
Cloksin family lives in Waukon, Iowa.
Philip Closkin
HOWARD K. BURGOYNE, '82, has
been named superintendent of the East
Coast Conference of the Evangelical
Covenant Church. He has served pas-
torates in St. Paul, Minnesota, Batavia,
111., and is senior pastor at Newport
Covenant Church in Bellevue, Wash.
RICHARD, '83x, and KIM (FIORI),
'83, PARKER are rejoicing that a
growth near Richard's spinal cord was a
benign calcification rather than some-
thing more serious. Surgery at Duke
University in March removed the prob-
lem, and the Parkers were able to hold
a reunion with members of Richard's
family in nearby Greensboro, N.C.
1 5, 2005. Sarah joins big brother Jacob,
3. Colley works part-time as a nurse
practitioner in the neurology depart-
ment at Emory University in Atlanta,
and Brian is a computer software train-
er at Wells Real Estate Funds in
Norcross, Ga. The Peach family lives in
Marietta, Ga.
JEFF, '87, and
CHERYL
(DEAR), '89x,
PINDER live
in Amelia, Va.,
where Jeff is
senior pastor at
Amelia Baptist
Church. Jeff
served 20 years
as pastor of stu-
dent ministries
before earning his Master's degree from
Liberty University. Cheryl taught sixth
grade English until their twin sons,
John and Caleb, were born in 2001.
DAWN HOFFMAN, '89, became
regional human resources director for
Barnes and Nobel in January. She over-
sees the company's employee relations
for the western half of the country.
Her new job involved a move to Frisco,
Texas, near Dallas. Earlier she earned
certification as a senior professional of
human resources.
Pinder Family
COLLEY (WOOD), '84x, and Biian
PEACH announce the birth of their
second child, Sarah Elizabeth, on May
1990s •;.
REBECCA WHISNANT, '90, spent
28 days in Germany during 2005 as
part of the Rotary Club Business
Exchange Program, living with German
host families and studying German
business practices. She also took a new
position with the Department of
Family and Children's Services as
employment services case manager.
BYRON, 90, and Natalie TALBOT
and their two boys live in Anchorage,
Alaska, where Byron is minister of
youth and music at Sunset Hills Baptist
Church. Natalie works with the young
adult/college class at the church, and is
looking for employment as a teacher.
Smith Family
CHRISTINE (PIERCE), '90x, and
her husband, Shannon, SMITH recent-
ly moved to Trenton, Fla., with their
four sons, Caleb, 13; Jonathan, 12;
Stephen, 11; and Michael, 8, near where
Shannon practices law in Chiefland.
Christine will teach in the local public
school system.
ROD, '91, and Jenn CAMPBELL are
living in Anniston, Ala., where Rod
works for the Alabama Baptist
Children's Homes as a children and
family counselor. He received his
Master of Arts degree in marriage and
family therapy from Reformed
Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss.,
in 2000. Rod and Jen have three chil-
dren, Ellen, 8; Liv, 5; and Cash, nearly
2. DAVID, '91, and Robin BOLIN live
nearby in Gadsden, and Rod and David
eat lunch together regularly.
Campbell Family
MARK, '92, and NATALIE
(CAWOOD), '97, CRUVER
announce the birth of their son,
Bryan Life 15
Sophia Leavitt
Nathan Paul, on March 1, 2005. Nathan
weighed 8 lbs., 14 oz., and was 19 inch-
es long. He joins big brothers Seth and
Andy, and sister Joelle.
JULIE
(SCHULTZ),
'05x, and Joe
LEAVITT
announce the
birth of their
first child, Sophia
Grace, on Dec. 31, 2005. The Leavitt
family lives in Spring Hill, Tenn, where
Joe works in affiliate relations for the
Dave Ramsey Show and Julie is a work-
at-home mom.
SHONDA
TOMPKINS,
'96, and
Jeremy
Knowlton
were married
July 15, 2004,
in Puyallup,
Wash. Shonda
has been a
kindergarten
teacher for the past 10 years, and
Jeremy is a biological research diver and
landscape architect.
JEFF SCHUMACHER, '97, returned
to Bryan to earn his teaching certifica-
tion this year. He spent the past five
years working at Walt Disney World.
Jeremy and Shonda
Knowlton
Ryan, Reagan and Cade
Himmelwright
GABE, '97, and GAYLE (COUCH),
'98, HIMMELWRIGHT announce
the birth of their son, Joshua Cade, on
Dec. 8, 2005. Cade weighed 9 lbs., 9
oz., and was 22 3 A inches long. He joins
big brother Ryan and sister Reagan,
both 2. The Himmelwright family lives
in Virginia Beach, Va., where Gabe
owns a hardwood flooring company
and Gayle teaches at a local college. She
is working on her dissertation for a
Ph.D. in communications.
MICAH, '98x, and
JOHANNA
(ZIEG), '97,
GELATT recently
moved to Valley Falls,
Kan., where Micah is
a teacher and Johanna
is a stay-at-home mom Ethan Gelatt
to Josiah, 3 Vi, and Ethan, 1. Ethan was
born March 10, 2005. He weighed 5
lbs., and was 18 1 /> inches long.
JASON and
BETH
(FREEMAN)
DUROY, both
'98, with their
children
Kathleen, 3, and |
Jack, l,have
moved from
Signal Mountain, I
Tenn, to
Greensboro, N.C, where Jason is pur-
suing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree
in piano performance. Beth plans to
begin a Master of Music degree this
faL
SHARON
(WOOD), '98, and
Matthew
COCHRAN
announce the birth
of their daughter,
Emily Elizabeth,
on April 7. Emily
weighed 7 lbs, 3
Cochran Family oz, and was 9 %
inches long.
Emily's Aunt CHERYL WOOD, '00,
sent the picture of the Cochran family.
2000s %;
DARA BALLARD, '00, and Bryan
Dykes were married March 11, on
Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga,
Tenn. Dara is a librarian for a law firm
in Chattanooga, and Bryan is an attor-
ney for another firm. Matron of honor
for the wedding was TAMMY (DOE-
JAAREN) BALLARD, '00, and atten-
dants for the bride included
STEPHANIE WISE, '00; SHERI
(TILLEMANS) STERNKE, '00; and
NICKI BURNETTE, '00.
Four friends from the Classes of 1999
and 2000 met recently in Atlanta for
their own mini-reunion. Pictured below,
from left, are KELLY (GRIFFIS)
GILBERT, '00, who lives in Corpus
Christi, Texas, where she works for the
State of Texas; LYDIA TALLENT,
'00, of Palo Alto, Calif, where she is an
attorney; MARINA (CRUZ) KRESS
'99, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and ASH-
LEY (MCDONALD) SOVEREIGN,
'99, of Columbia, S.C, where she is a
stay-at-home mom for Caedmon, 5,
and Abigail, 2.
MICHAEL, '01x, and Lisa
TIMBLIN, announce the birth of
their son, Sebastian Wayne, on Jan. 14.
The Timblin family lives in Warsaw,
Ind.
JONATHAN and ANNA (NEFF)
URQUHART, both '02, announce the
birth of their daughter, Afton, on
March 29. Afton weighed 8 lbs, 9 oz.
The Urquhart family lives in Columbia,
Pa.
l6 Christ above all
IV, '01, and
KATIE (BUT-
TRAM), '03,
SMITH
announce the
birth of their
second son,
Julius "Duke"
Smith, on
March 12. Duke
joins big brother
King, 2.
King and Duke
Smith
Cfeldon,
TRAVIS, '02x,
and CARRIE
(MATTHEWS),
'99, WELDON,
announce the
birth of their
seond son, Gavin
Walker, on Dec 9,
2005. Gavin
weighed 6 lbs., 7
oz., and was 1 8 Ya
Wesley and Gavin . , ,
inches long He
joins big brother Wesley, 3.
ANNIE DICKERSON, '03, recently
presented her first art show, an exhibi-
tion of her photographs of scenes in
Chicago. Annie is a teacher in the
Chicago public school system.
KEDRIC WEBSTER, '03, received
his M.A. degree in Biblical studies from
Reformed Theological Seminary in
Orlando, Fla., in May. Kedric continues
his employment as resource consultant
with Ligonier Ministries in Lake Mary,
Fla.
JOSH, '03, and VANNIE (PHINN),
'04x, LOWERY live in Knoxville,
where they moved in June 2004, after
living in Dallas, Texas, following their
marriage July 5, 2003. Josh works for
DHL and Vanny is a manager for
Panera Bread.
JONATHAN, '04, and
BEVERLY (DAVIS), '03, BASHOR
Lt Joshua Ray
live in Birmingham, Ala., where they
recently bought their first home.
Jonathan works in management and
Beverly works at a law firm. Their son,
Aiden, is nearly 2.
JOSHUA
RAY, '05, was
commissioned
a second lieu-
tenant in the
U.S. Army on
" Dec. 15, 2005.
Josh was
sworn in by
Col. Ron
Petitte, associate professor of political
science and pinned by his parents,
Bruce and Debbie Ray.
A film produced by MATT ROGERS,
'05, and directed by JOSH LONG,
'05, won the People's Choice Award at
the Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival
in Augusta, Ga. The "mocumentary"
"For the Title" tells the story of two
Ultimate Frisbee teams as they compete
for a league championship and was
filmed at Bryan and on location in
Rhea County.
OLIVIA FESSLER, '05, has moved
to Cincinnati, Ohio, after working in
Washington, D.C, following graduation.
She is developing a television show for
an international pro-life organization
that is due to air later this year in the
U.S. and Canada.
JESSE and LARISSA (HONEY-
CUTT) JOHNSON, both 05x,
announce the birth !
of their first child,
Kindred Spirit, on
Jan. 9. Kindred
weighed 8 lbs., 14
oz., and was 20 3 A
inches long The
Johnson family
lives in
Whitestown, Ind. Kindred Johnson
With the Lord
Rev. EDWARD M. DE ROSSET,
'39, died March 20, in Dayton, Term.
He is survived by his wife, JOYCE
(HIRSCHY) DE ROSSET, '40;
daughters KARIN TRAYLOR, '64,
and Dr. ROSALIE DE ROSSET,
'69; and sons Dr. Frederick de Rosset
and Edward de Rosset.
Rev. EDWARD D. MILLER, '46,
of Modesto, Calif., died Dec 9, 2005.
He is survived by his wife, EILEEN
(GOODMAN) MILLER, '46, and
four children.
Rev. RYLAND "Tete" ROCK, '53,
of Winston-Salem, N.C., died Dec.
25, 2005. He is survived by his wife,
CHARLOTTE (HOWELL)
ROCK, '53, and five children.
DONA (BLAINE) MEZNAR, '53,
of Peoria, Ariz., died Feb. 22. She is
survived by her husband, Dr.
LEONARD MEZNAR, '51; and
three children, Dr. MARTIN MEZ-
NAR, '82, Joan Meznar, and Andrea
Meznar.
Rev. FRANCIS NEDDO, '54 of
Sale Creek, Term., died March 24. He
is survived by his wife, Hazel, and six
children.
GEORGIE (LEDBETTER)
ASCHENBACH, '56, of West
Springfield, Mass., died Sept. 30,
2005. She is survived by five children.
DIANNA (GOODMAN) SHARPE,
'96x, of Adams, Tenn., died Jan. 1 8.
She is survived by her husband, Donald
Sharpe; three daughters; two sisters,
MELISSA and husband DAVID
BROWN, both '94, and Regina
Dickerson; and her parents.
Bryan life ~VJ
faculty/staff yy Qfpc
Dr. Marci Froemke completed
requirements for her doctoral degree at
Trevecca University in April.
The Board of Trustees has affirmed
the following personnel decisions: Dr.
Marci Froemke, promoted to associate
professor; Dr. Travis Ricketts, pro-
moted to associate professor; Dr. Brian
Hill, promoted to professor; Dr. Ron
Petitte, promoted to professor and
granted tenure.
Dr. Dana Kennedy has been
selected as a member of one of the
planning committees for the 2006
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Health Promotion
Conference. She will help design the
"Non-traditional Partnerships" track
focusing on involving faith-based and
other non-governmental organizations
in community-level health promotion
efforts. Dr. Kennedy and several of her
students also collected data from Rhea
County K-12 students for a statewide
study on Body Mass Index.
Dr. Bill Ketchersid was a fellow at
a Salzburg Seminar, "The Transatlantic
Divide: Myths, Realities, and Business
as Usual," in June.
Dr. Sigrid Luther attended the Music
Teachers National Association confer-
ence in Austin, Texas, in March, where
she presented a session on "Developing
Practical Musical Skills through Church
Music" and served on the national
nominating committee. She judged the
Cadek Conservatory Scholarship
Competition in Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and coordinated the Bryan College
Community Music School Festival
Faculty and staff leaving at the end of the academic year include, from left, Anneli Horner,
assistant director of Worldview Teams, who will begin graduate studies at Regent College in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Dr. Kurt Wise, who will direct the Center for Theology
and Science at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.; Marci Wulf Yost, ath-
letic trainer, who will be a junior high school science teacher and athletic trainer near Ft.
Benning, Ga., where her husband is stationed; Josh Porter, athletic trainer, who is moving toward
missions service; and Jeff Longenecker, head athletic trainer, who is pursuing further education in
the medical field. They were honored during a reception as the school year drew to a close.
Miss Michele Pascucci traveled to
Spain during spring break, and will
spend much of the summer in Spain
working on her doctoral dissertation.
Mr. John Stonestreet completed
requirements for his Master of Arts
degree in Christian Thought at Trinity
Hvangelical Divinity School. He also
spoke at worldview seminars in Florida,
the Summit Adult Conference in
Colorado, was keynote speaker at the
Indiana Association of Home
Educators state convention, and spoke
at the Christianity and Culture seminar
in Longview, Texas.
Dr. Jack Traylor has published a
review of Watching the Trains Go By: A.
Narrative of a Santa Fe. Railway Man, by
Harry J. Briscoe, in the winter 2005-06
edition of Kansas History: A Journal of
the Central Plains. Mr. Briscoe is a
retired officer of the Santa Fe Railway
and was a supervisor of Dr. Traylor's
father and a neighbor of the Traylor
family in Emporia, Kan.
Mrs. Tami Tulberg attended the
Tennessee Association of College
Stores annual convention in Pigeon
Forge She is a member of the associa-
tion's board.
Dr. Mel Wilhoit performed a trum-
pet solo during the Chattanooga Bach
Choir's Mardi Gras dinner in February.
He also taught the fine arts component
for Bryan's Italy Abroad semester. He
also sang with the Chattanooga Bach
Choir in its spring concert in March.
lo Christ above all
Lions and Bonfires and
Alumni Awards...
oh
my
Homecoming 2006
the journey continues..,
October 6-7
www.Bryan.edu/Homecoming
Homecoming 2006 is made possible by the Alumni Association and by Bryan College Alumni and Friends like you
*-^v
Christ above all
BRYAN
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